Installing UK purchased boiler abroad

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Surrey
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United Kingdom
I have a house in Poland and want to install a UK purchased gas boiler. Although the manufacturer also sells in Poland I cannot find the same model listed. I suspect it is branded as something else there. I was told that the (Russian) natural gas quality in Poland is 98.14% methane and classified as Quality level GZ50. The gas pressure is stated as 1.6 to 1.8 kilopascals (approx. 16.8 mbar). I understand that UK gas is delivered at 21 mbar. Is it likely that my UK purchased burner can be adapted with replacement parts.?
 
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Surely it's better to just buy one over there rather than messing around changing parts. What about contacting the manufacturer and asking them what the equivalent is?
 
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Yes, why not just buy a boiler made for the local market with a warranty?

Can you explain why you were thinking of that? I can see no advantages and so many disadvantages!

What is the make and model of UK boiler you had in mind?

Tony
 
Yes, why not just buy a boiler made for the local market with a warranty?

Can you explain why you were thinking of that? I can see no advantages and so many disadvantages!

What is the make and model of UK boiler you had in mind?

Tony


The boiler I am looking at is the Vaillant Ecotec Plus 618 system. The nearest equivalent in Poland is almost double the price. Boilers in UK expect a mains pressure of 21 mbar but will operate at min of 18mbar. UK gas is 97% methane max. Polish gas is 98% methane max and operates between 16 to 18mbar. It all seems very close. Traditionally gas has always been deliberately expensive for Poles to discourage imported gas and equipment. I suspect that the same burners are being slightly modified and re-badged for a large markup. It's a much more competitive market here.
 
In the UK the warranty is based on a gas reg installer who adjusts the boiler to match the makers specs.

I am sure that boiler could be adjusted to work on their gas supplies without too much of a problem.

But it also sounds as if you dont intend to get a Polish plumber with the skills and equipment to set it up properly.

There is probably a 60% chance that it will work out of the box regardless.

But if it does not then what will you do? It would cost about £200 plus flights and meals to get a UK based guy over to set it up properly if like me he would treat it as a little holiday.

You might just find a gas reg Polish plumber with the equipment who holidays at home near you. But how would you find him? Still does not get the warranty though.

Even so there will not be any warranty because the makers only warrant their products for use in the country sold in.

Tony
 
Bit of a dodgy one this. There is a good chance the boiler will work even with the lower gas pressure but it's not just the gas, how reliable/stable with the electrical supply be. Will the earth connection be good enough and then what if something does go wrong. Are you going to ship parts across from the UK and pay for a UK gas fitter to fit the part if no one in Poland will touch it. It may be a Vaillant and they may sell a different/similar model in Poland but the manufacturer will tell you where to go if you ask them to repair it.
 
Bit of a dodgy one this. There is a good chance the boiler will work even with the lower gas pressure but it's not just the gas, how reliable/stable with the electrical supply be. Will the earth connection be good enough and then what if something does go wrong. Are you going to ship parts across from the UK and pay for a UK gas fitter to fit the part if no one in Poland will touch it. It may be a Vaillant and they may sell a different/similar model in Poland but the manufacturer will tell you where to go if you ask them to repair it.

Well I knew it was a long shot, I can use the one I have in UK but I thought with a price difference like that it was worth a question. I was not the first nor will I be the last to spot that one. Given a choice between 500 quid and a warranty I would go for the money if it worked, was legal and there was no fundamental design difference in frost protection.
 
In the UK the warranty is based on a gas reg installer who adjusts the boiler to match the makers specs.

I am sure that boiler could be adjusted to work on their gas supplies without too much of a problem.

But it also sounds as if you dont intend to get a Polish plumber with the skills and equipment to set it up properly.

There is probably a 60% chance that it will work out of the box regardless.

But if it does not then what will you do? It would cost about £200 plus flights and meals to get a UK based guy over to set it up properly if like me he would treat it as a little holiday.

Even so there will not be any warranty because the makers only warrant their products for use in the country sold in.

Tony

I didn't propose to install it myself. I have a heating guy over there who already installed a replacement solid fuel boiler for winters. He also ran the gas line to the house and is happy to fit a UK boiler if it can be made to work legally. I wanted something as backup but primarily to heat water in summer and was stunned by the prices I was getting in.
 
I can just imagine the class of fitter you have over there that is willing to fit the boiler. :evil: . We have loads of them here

Hard working but usually dumb as dishwasher. .


Why not ask Vaillant what their opinion is? . Or wait. . Because you know the answer, so you thought you'd post it on a diy website because it's bound to give you a legally binding reply in favour of you being a tight arse. :rolleyes:
 
Some are quite intelligent but lack the skills to read technical information.

I needed to tell the owner that his unvented cylinder needed a two port motor valve on the heating supply to it.

He replied to the owner that it was not needed because the Viessmann already had a valve in it.

He reluctantly fitted it probably swearing in Polish to himself about the British!


Tony
 
Some are quite intelligent but lack the skills to read technical information.

I needed to tell the owner that his unvented cylinder needed a two port motor valve on the heating supply to it.

He replied to the owner that it was not needed because the Viessmann already had a valve in it.

He reluctantly fitted it probably swearing in Polish to himself about the British!

If the polish guy was doing the instal for the owner, were you there as an inspector? What were you charging for that privilege? I imagine the Pole must have had infinite calmness to be told how he should carry out a task by someone who was probably a bystander. I have walked away from jobs for less. I must say every body loves you Tony for your vast knowledge😘
 
I was paid by the owner to inspect the cylinder.

I don't like meeting unqualified installers!

Tony
 

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